Where Hope Grows

Name: Where Hope Grows
Genre: Drama
Released: May 15, 2015
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 41
Cast: David DeSanctis, Kristoffer Polaha

2015

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Where Hope Grows

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Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: May 15, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: David DeSanctis, Kristoffer Polaha

Summary: Calvin Campbell (Kristoffer Polaha) is a former professional baseball player sent to an early retirement due to his panic attacks at the plate. Even though he had all the talent for the big leagues, he struggles with the curveballs life has thrown him. Today, he mindlessly sleepwalks through his days and the challenge of raising hisCalvin Campbell (Kristoffer Polaha) is a former professional baseball player sent to an early retirement due to his panic attacks at the plate. Even though he had all the talent for the big leagues, he struggles with the curveballs life has thrown him. Today, he mindlessly sleepwalks through his days and the challenge of raising his teenager daughter. His life is in a slow downward spiral when it is suddenly awakened and invigorated by the most unlikely person – Produce (David DeSanctis), a young-man with Down syndrome who works at the local grocery store. [Roadside Attractions]… Expand

Director: Chris Dowling

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 95 min

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Critic Reviews

Joe Leydon

May 16, 2015

Neatly avoiding temptations toward mawkish excess, writer-director Chris Dowling hits a solid double with Where Hope Grows, his intelligently affecting faith-based drama. Read full review

Frank Scheck

May 15, 2015

An affecting drama marked by solid performances and a refreshing restraint in the way it delivers its religious message. Read full review

Gary Goldstein

May 14, 2015

A melodramatic third act strains to reconcile the film's disparate parts, and the feel-good ending is not quite earned. Still, the film offers a few lessons for those inclined to hear them. Read full review

Neil Genzlinger

May 14, 2015

Once the proselytizing takes over, so does the predictability. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

May 12, 2015

It works, here and there, and Polaha is perfectly believable as an ex-jock and ex-jerk who lets a little child lead him out of the darkness. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

May 14, 2015

The Christian-themed Where Hope Grows wears its heart on its sleeve, hawking its message of salvation through faith to anyone who’s in the market for cheesy uplift and saccharine sentiment. It’s a soft sell, to be sure, but it’s salesmanship all the same. Read full review

Josh Kupecki

May 13, 2015

Chris Dowling’s second feature at first seems anodyne enough, but once the plot mechanics kick into high gear, the film becomes as unsurprising as a prix fixe menu. Read full review

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User Reviews

lyndalweaver

May 16, 2015

Where Hope Grows is an excellent movie with a deep, meaningful plot. Director Chris Dowling does an outstanding job making a wonderful movie that just happens to be faith based. Don't let the professional reviews fool you. This is a must see movie that makes you feel like you a betterWhere Hope Grows is an excellent movie with a deep, meaningful plot. Director Chris Dowling does an outstanding job making a wonderful movie that just happens to be faith based. Don't let the professional reviews fool you. This is a must see movie that makes you feel like you a better person for watching it. Well done Chris!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

LeZee

Mar 14, 2016

An inspiring theme, but too much of cinematic than realistic.

I came across after an unexpected glance at its inspiring title, and a good looking poster. But it is just a hit and miss. First, I wanted to clear the view whether it was a religious related subject or simply an inspiringAn inspiring theme, but too much of cinematic than realistic.

I came across after an unexpected glance at its inspiring title, and a good looking poster. But it is just a hit and miss. First, I wanted to clear the view whether it was a religious related subject or simply an inspiring movie. The answer is merely yes to the second one. Because it was a brilliant platform that failed desperately with all the usual cliches.

For the normal people, it might be an uplifting flick. But for the movie fanatics, it is one of those attempts from their watch that terribly fallen short. No doubt, it is a good theme, a little boring as well to see the same old formula with the new cast. In the end it did not work for me. The way it handled to solve the personal and social issues that depicted in the film characters is not persuasive.

The twist at the end was the dumbest one. I can't understand why a movie like this need one. Those are for the smartest scripts and this one should have focused more on the friendship and father-daughter relationship rather trying to imitate the commercial films. Though the actor did well, and the production design was way better than many mainstream films from the recent time. Definitely a go for it, but what do you expect from it will decide how much you're going to like it.

6/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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